Notarizing Documents In California & The Laws

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

• NotaryLive offers convenient online notarization in California
• All you need is your document and a device with internet access
• Say goodbye to travel and extra expenses with NotaryLive

It has never been easier to get a document notarized online in California than it is right now thanks to NotaryLive. 

While there are only a number of states that allow notary publics to become a commissioned online notary, anyone can get a document notarized online regardless of their state laws.

Note: A Notary Law of California remote online notarization law to be aware of: 

Notaries commissioned in California cannot conduct remote online notarizations until 2030. 

However, clients in California can still get their documents notarized from a notary not commissioned in California remotely. 

1. How To Notarize Online in California with NotaryLive

Gather everything you need

To begin notarizing a document online with NotaryLive, all you need is:

• the document you are looking to get notarized
• a device connected to the internet with camera/microphone capabilities
• and either a valid driver’s license or passport (to verify your identity)

Uploading Your Document

Firstly, you will begin by uploading your document. You can either do this from your desktop or by using the QR code we provide you during the session.

Verifying Your Identity 

After making sure you have everything you need, use your driver's license, passport and any other form of government ID to verify your identity. You will upload a picture of your ID front and back. Make sure to follow the correct requirements to do this.

Answer the KBA Questions

After uploading your ID, you will be brought to the KBA Questions. Which are questions you should get correct (especially if you are who you say you are). 

Questions can be from where you live, where you work, or car model. 

Connecting with the live notary

Once your identity is confirmed using industry standard ID verification technology, you will be connected with a notary, live via webcam.

Notary will verify your identity

After connecting, the licensed online notary will also be prompted to verify the identity of the signers before moving forward with the notarization process.

They do this by comparing your information/ID to the person they see before them on camera (you). 

Get your document notarized 

The notary will witness and affirm your signature, apply their own digital seal, then voilà, you are finished notarizing online!

Access your notarized document

After the session is completed, you can access the notarized document(s) through an email confirmation or your customer dashboard to download them with ease. 

2. Basic RON (Remote Online Notarization) Tools 

Amongst various platforms, you can find that most of them use the same generic tools to complete a notarization online. 

Here is the list: 

• Digital Signatures: enables you to digitally sign documents online
• Identity Verification:  secure methods that verify your identity
• Audit Trails: record of all actions taken during notarization process
• Secure Storage: to safely store notarized documents
• Live Video: face-to-face sessions
• Knowledge Based Authentication (KBA): questions based on personal information

3. Remote Online Notarization Laws in California

When was RON permitted in California? 

Remote online notarization in California is permitted January 1st, 2030 based on Senate Bill 696.

While SB 696 approves online notary, implementation may take time to become fully operational.

Notaries commissioned California will not be able be able to conduct remote online notarizations until 2030. 

Notarial Certificate Elements 

• Venue: where the notarization occurred
• Date: the date of the notarization
• Name of Principle Signer: person who appears before notary
• Notary's Official Signature
• Official Notarial Seal 
• Title of Office: the notary's official title

Documents requiring notarization in California 

• Power of Attorney
• Divorce Papers
• Car Release Documents
• Real Estate Documents
• Affidavit of Inability to Appear for Marriage due to incarceration
• Legal documents

. . . Any many more documents and official statements! 

Recognition of Out-of-State RON

SB 696 -→ Notarial and online notarial acts performed out of state will be legally recognized in California in 2030.

2. Start Notarizing Online with NotaryLive

When you can notarize a document online with NotaryLive in a matter of minutes, there's no need to make the effort to travel, take time off work, or waste your day going to the nearest local notary. 

Check out our blog for more information on which states notaries can become an online notary. 

Here's how NotaryLive works in 4 easy steps; 

To get started, you can click the button below.

Notarize Now!

Take that extra time and money to spend it on a trip to San Diego, San Francisco, or Los Angeles.

For more benefits and features of NotaryLive . . . 

Visit our California Remote Online Notary page. 

FAQ For RON in California 

• How much does it cost to notarize a document in California? 
  • Using NotaryLive it only costs $25 for one session.
• Is it necessary to be a US citizen to utilize our service? 
  • No. To complete the verification process, you need to either be a US citizen or have a US-based public profile. However, if you do not meet these requirements, you can have a witness verify your identity.
• What are the system requirements for remote online notarization? 
  • To use NotaryLive, all you'll need is a device such as a tablet, smartphone, or computer with internet access, a microphone, sound capabilities, and a camera.
• How much does the remote online notarial session cost with NotaryLive? 
  • Sessions start at $25 but are discounted based on your account type and monthly volume. For more pricing information, visit our Pricing Page.
• What are the POA witness requirements for California?
  • For more information, visit our state chart in our blog.

Is Your Business Looking to Upgrade its Notarization Process? 

On top of the normal benefits of our platform, NotaryLive for Business allows business account holders to make frequent use as easy as possible with options such as:

• Creating sessions for their Clients
• Adding Multiple Users
• Viewing Clients’ Notarized Documents
• Single-Use or Monthly Billing (Great for high volume!)
• Volume Pricing Options
• Optional API and White Label Integration
• Plus all standard account features

Relevant Blogs 

• What is Online Notarization?
• What are the benefits of notarizing online?
• What businesses could benefit the most from online notary services? 
• Why You Should Use NotaryLive Instead of Mobile Notary Services